This winter was very cold , so cold it made Enbridge re-consider their natural gas rates for the future, and as of April 1, Enbridge customers can expect a 40% increase in their bills. Add to this to the 100% increase in propane prices this winter, oil which increases with corporate greed, and electricity which only gets more expensive as Ontario’s Green Energy Act takes more effect. No matter how you heat your home, it is expensive and it’s acceptable to assume that these rates will only increase as natural resources are slowly consumed.
Conservation is the best method to reduce our impact and save as much energy (and therefore money) as we possibly can. Whether you plan to renovate your home from the inside, the outside or build a new home entirely, there are many ways to increase your homes insulation, improving home efficiency and saving money.
Exterior Renovations
If you’re thinking of re-siding your home in the near future, it’s worth your time to learn about exterior insulation and how it will decrease your energy bills. A layer of 2″ EPS foam insulation will blanket your home, supplying a great backing for siding while providing the following benefits:
- continuous insulation layer that covers all existing wood framing, eliminating thermal bridging through wood;
- allows existing insulation in walls to perform to true R-value by eliminating air transfer that freezes fibreglass insulation in wintertime;
- increases temperature in interior walls and inside exterior walls, reducing stress on home heating system;
- will be a building code requirement for new homes in near future, future proofing your home;
So long as you’re pulling off existing siding, it isn’t much more work to have a foam insulation layer wrapped around your home prior to new siding installation. Tucker Construction uses a 2″ EPS type 2 foam glued to 7/16″ OSB made in-house for best application when retrofitting homes and offices.
Interior Renovations
For homeowners that are remodelling or retrofitting their home’s interior by removing drywall or plaster, the best insulation hands down is a 2 lb spray foam. For all interior insulation spray foam jobs Tucker Construction uses Eco Insulation from St. Catharines, ON that uses a foam made from recycled products, doesn’t off-gas, and produces a safe work environment for our employees shortly after installation, making it safer for your family in the home. Having a spray foam installed in your home’s walls will:
- fill all voids and cracks in your exterior walls, providing the most superior coverage;
- air and vapour barrier in one, no need for 6mm poly plastic;
- better sound absorption than regular fibreglass, creating a quieter home indoors;
- R6 insulation value per inch, greater insulation value in less space, useful if you’re living in older 2″x4″ homes;
- eliminates the “draughty house”;
- reduce energy bills by as much as 50%;
New Homes
Without a doubt, the best return on investment when building a new home, assuming you’re building a home you plan on living in forever, build with insulated concrete forms (ICF). Tucker Construction uses Nudura ICF’s that provides a 6-in-1 step that reduces labour costs, saves on wasteful materials, and produces a home that saves between 50-70% energy costs. Nudura’s ICF’s provide structure, insulation, air barrier, vapour barrier, finish anchorage, and strapping in one step. And Nudura offer’s the only 8 ft. ICF that folds flat for shipping, reducing shipping costs and keeping trucks off the road. Nudura’s ICF will:
- reduce labour compared to traditional wood framing and concrete;
- comprehensive form lineup to accomodate all interior/exterior finishes (incl. floor and ceiling foams);
- limited air transfer;
- sound proofing;
- no thermal bridging;
- concrete thermal mass that stores energy;
- true R24 wall value that performs as high as R50;
- Safety: 4 hour fire rating, 402kph wind load rating, foam doesn’t grow mould or emit harmful vapours;
- up to 70% energy savings compared to traditional homes;
- a lifetime home that lasts for many generations;
